Home Preparedness Tips for Frigid Cold
Posted on: January 10, 2022 - 11:43am
An arctic airmass will be entrenched over the region for the next few days. Temperatures are not forecast to go above freezing until Thursday of this week. Here are some tips to protect your home from the cold:
- Insulate water supply lines that run through unheated areas. These are usually found in the basement, crawl spaces, attic, garage, under bathroom and kitchen cabinets, and along exterior walls.
- Cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes should be sealed with caulk to keep the cold air out.
- Reduce wind drafts that transport cold air from outside to inside the house by making sure that all exterior windows and doors are airtight.
- Open kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing.
- Allow faucets to drip slowly to keep unheated pipes from freezing. Keeping them open relieves pressure that builds between the faucet and ice blockage.
- Don`t turn the heat down too much if you are going away. Leave the heat set to at least 55 degrees.
- Know where and how to shut off the main water supply in case of a ruptured pipe.
- Keeping your home warm can also be difficult in this weather.
- Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel.
- Never use a stove, oven, grill, etc. to heat your home.
- Place space heaters on level hard surfaces at least three feet from anything flammable. Never leave them unattended.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and quickly move to fresh air if the alarm sounds.